The Star. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1902. THE CANDIDATE AS HUMORIST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7550, 5 November 1902, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1902. THE CANDIDATE AS HUMORIST.

Mr 0. Allison is a standing illustration of Dr Holmes's theory that in a conversation of two there are six people concerned. As he spoke to the electors of Christchurch last night the suggestion was irresistible that there were three Mr Allisons upon tOie platform— Mr Allison as he thinks himself, Mr Allison as his listeners think him and Mr Allison as h© really is. The result of this is a confusion of point of view almost as mixed; as Mr Allison's politics themselves. It explains, however, the mystery of why Mr Allison should have been a candidate at all. Apparently 'his conviction, of himself is of a man for whom the country is yearning,, a Daniel simply waiting his country's call to " come to judgment." Un£ortunately his audience arrived' at a different conclusion, and, regarding him apparently as a politioal excrescence the garden, of wihose mind wais sown with the noxious weeds of undesirable opinions, it adopted the unusual course of passing a vote of waait of confidence in hjim. The first night meetings' of maiden politician's are generally more tolerantly good-natured., and Mr Allison, in view of the decided snub, reaflly ought to try And get outsicfe' himself and look at the audience's Mr~ Allison. He might then not unprofitably consider the ad'visableness of withdrawing the candidature of the two Mr Allisons who are standing and leaving the4>hird Mr Allison — Mr Allison as he really is, a quiet, excellent citizen and an admirable municipal servant— to pursue tihe even tenor of Hs way unscratohed and unhindered by political thorns. His candidature really seems a little humorous, the "Irish stew" of his politics is more than a little so. Probably he will be wise in his degeneration, and' not pursue Ms harmless little joke any further. There are several other candidates who have somewhat similar prospects of nonelection. Tibeir names are easily recognised', and these gentlemen and Mr Allison- might very well go and have a little election of their own for an> oyster supper, or some other mild form of dissipation. , It would be less expensive than forfeiting the deposit which a Parliamentary candidate is called upon to make in seeking tihe suffrages of the electors. ,